Say hello to the Olympus E-600

Internaut

I'd have a link if decresource hadn't pulled the story (looks like they broke too early). It looks like Olympus's new entry level camera; an E-620 with a few of the features pulled (though as far as I can tell, the only missing feature that actually matters is the back lighting on the buttons). No news as to whether it has the newer imaging from the E-P1.

I'm not entirely sure I see the point of it. An attempt at Sony style market segmentation?

swintonphoto

For the estimated price for the body ($599) that camera will be really tough to beat. I think that it doesn't cost much in R&D to produce this camera, and Olympus makes most of their money on the entry level lines. Plus, Olympus is the official sponsor of the US Open tennis tournament, so maybe they wanted a new camera to push through this week of advertising.
As a very satisfied E-620 owner, I would recommend it and the E-600 without reservation. I use the E-620 + grip as my primary body for my photo studio. Its compact size really comes in handy after a long day of shooting, and its powerful feature set competes with cameras more than twice its cost. These little beauties are the perfect combo in my book!
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1251694801.html

ziggy53

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1438

NikonsandVstroms

So about 500 body only if they sell it that way, I want

Or I can just sell my E-420 with the 14-42 to off set this cost.

run_kmc

Looks like they eliminated all the features I'd never use and kept my favorites. This would be the perfect backup body for someone with an E30.

silversx80

FYI:

http://forum.fourthirdsphoto.com/showthread.php?t=50363

swintonphoto

I doubt sites like imaging resource and dc resource would post the release stating "Olympus Imaging America Inc. has today announced its new E-600 digital SLR..." without some info from Olympus. I think it's legit.

silversx80

Right, but I'm finding it tough to find info anywhere else but rumor sites. Usually dpreview has a good heads-up on new releases, but nothing from them yet.

I guess I'm a bit of a skeptic and don't understand that if it's legit, why Olympus would pull such a move. I find it hard to believe that taking the LEDs out for the backlit buttons, reducing the buffer to reduce framerate and changing the firmware slightly would save $100. Why not offer the new sensor and firmware in the same hardware package as the E-520 and call it the E-550?

... I guess, however, it'd fall in line with Olympus' poor marketing skills (compared to the competition).